od stood by the tall mirror in their master bedroom, slipping delicate pearl earrings into her lobes. Her blonde hair

ised, as always. But today, something coiled

as she adjusted her brace

ents later, Ethan emerged, sharp in his tailored navy suit, watch glinti

the slight tensio

ghtly, stepping close, smoothing his

ured. "Important

he way his mind worked. She had been his wife for nearly three years, even if

thering you," s

ly, then looked away. "I

hat new consultant? Emily? I heard he

Ethan's jaw tightened just sligh

giving a faint, warni

an'

lip. Lexi was sharper than most gave

n said smoothly, adjusting his cufflinks. "

earching look. "Is she

ecovering. "We knew each other a lo

the gracious wife, the perfect partner, but she knew when another wom

(later th

had done everything right. She had fulfilled her role as the wife Etha

wasn't

mind somewhere else. She had assumed it was the

he won

OV (at th

s. She greeted her team, reviewed notes, double-

d herself firmly. Stay p

and saw Ethan already seated, reviewing docume

her expression neutral. Ethan glanced up briefly, their

an'

ad haunted him all night, pulling memori

room and forced himself to stay composed. Prof

determination, something inside Ethan stirred again-something

V (later

ates from the office. She paused when she saw a photo attached to a press brief-a candid shot of t

il

the photo, he

thought darkly. But you don